New Delhi: Amid an intense heatwave, the Bihar government on Wednesday ordered the closure of all private and government-run schools, coaching institutes, and anganwadi centers until June 8. Aurangabad, experiencing the highest temperature in the state at 48.2 degrees Celsius, set a record for Bihar's all-time maximum temperature, according to the weather office.
Chief Secretary Brajesh Mehrotra, following directives from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, instructed district magistrates to enforce the closure of these educational institutions and anganwadi centers. This decision was made in response to reports of several students fainting due to the extreme heat, reported PTI.
With temperatures soaring above 45 degrees Celsius in various parts of the state, Chief Secretary Brajesh Mehrotra convened a high-level meeting to assess the preparedness of relevant departments in tackling the heatwave crisis.
Reports of students fainting due to the extreme heat emerged from regions including Sheikhpura, Begusarai, and East Champaran.
In response, RJD leader and former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav urged the government to take immediate preventive measures to protect schoolchildren from the heatwave. He criticised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for not intervening sooner and questioned the effectiveness of his directives.
Earlier, Several students in schools across at least three districts in Bihar fell unconscious on Wednesday due to the extreme heatwave, officials reported.
The state recorded its all-time highest temperature of 47.7 degrees Celsius in Aurangabad on Tuesday. On Wednesday, temperatures soared above 44 degrees Celsius in many areas. In response to the crisis, Bihar Chief Secretary Brajesh Mehrotra convened a high-level meeting to review the preparedness of relevant departments to handle the severe heatwave conditions.
Meanwhile, the IMD has forecast that heatwave conditions are expected to persist for another three or four days in the state. Officials from the Bihar Disaster Management Department advised people to avoid heat exposure and prevent dehydration.